More details have emerged about the circumstances leading to the death by suicide of United States-based Nigerian cardiologist, Dr. Ikenna Erinne.
It was learnt that Erinne, 36, died on Sunday, January 26, by shooting himself with a pistol.
He was said to have undergone a messy battle in a US court with his ex-wife, Suzette Chibuogu Van-Lare for the custody of the two children produced by the union.
In an X post, a Nigerian-American, Clayton Udo disclosed that the American court ordered Erinne to pay his ex-wife $15,000 monthly as child support.
Udo said Erinne had spent thousands of dollars in legal fees during the prolonged child custody battle, which his ex-wife won.
Udo claimed that Erinne lost his licence to practise as a cardiologist in the cause of his marital woes.
“He lost his licence as a cardiologist in this case plus they slammed on him 15,000 dollars a month plus restricted access to his children,” Udo said.
However, Erinne’s former father-in-law, Francis Van-Lare took to Facebook to correct what he called “misinformation” surrounding the matter.
He alleged that Erinne held his ex-wife and their children at gunpoint for over three hours after losing the custody battle and police were called.
According to him, Erinne must have shot himself to avoid a lengthy jail term for his action.
Van-Lare said, “While there was a custody battle my daughter is involved in, I only became aware last Monday morning at about 3 am Nigerian time that the deceased held her and her children at gunpoint for three hours after losing a custody battle.
“The nanny managed to escape and called the police and on arrival of the police he shot himself dead.
“I guess he decided to kill himself instead of facing three counts of kidnapping with a deadly weapon – 25 years to life each.
“While I sympathise with his family for his death, my daughter is not responsible for him taking his own life and I thank God it did not degenerate to where he shoots my daughter, grandchildren and himself.
“May his soul rest in peace. Everyone is a loser here and it is traumatising for all including me.”
Van-Lare noted that Erinne’s licence was never revoked as claimed.
“To set records straight, Dr Ikenna Erinne’s licence was never revoked.
“He has active licences in Illinois, New York, Virginia, and Maryland so one state cannot revoke all licences at once, though none was revoked.”
On the supposed outrageous child support, he said, “The child support was set that much because he has a physically challenged son needing special care from different medical facilities plus attending a special needs school that cost money and courts consider the income of both parents before making decisions.”
Van-Lare added, “He is not a victim but failed his son and daughter now without their father.”
The ex-father-in-law said no sane person should take his own life over money he is supposed to use to support his children.
“He was asked to pay child support not alimony or spousal support as my daughter is self-sufficient.
“May his soul rest in peace regardless,” he added.
Meanwhile, another member of the Nigerian community in the United States, Obim Onujiogu disclosed that Erinne will be buried on February 3.
Onujiogu said, “In Loving Memory of Dr. Ikenna C. Erinne. It is with heavy hearts that the ASA DC family announces the sudden and untimely passing of Dr. Ikenna Erinne Dr. Ikenna C. Erinne, was a beloved father, son, brother, and esteemed cardiologist, who departed on January 26, 2025.
“Born on March 4, 1988, Dr. Erinne was a compassionate healer and devoted family man. He is survived by his children Ugonna and Munachi, parents Engr. Chris and Mrs. Chinwe Erinne, and siblings Chuks, Onyi, Kenny, and Gechi.
“A celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home in Elkridge, MD, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by interment at Meadowridge Memorial Park.”
Credit: The Sun